R v Sheard; R v Clarke [2026] NSWDC 351

R v Sheard; R v Clarke [2026] NSWDC 351 concerned sentencing for two counts each of discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm during a planned drug robbery. Sheard fired a rifle five times, seriously wounding two victims; Clarke was unarmed but participated knowing firearms were present, with liability through extended joint criminal enterprise. The key issue was the individualised assessment of their objective criminality, disadvantage, mental illness, deterrence and community protection. Both were convicted. Finding special circumstances, the Court sentenced Sheard to 10 years with a six-and-a-half-year non-parole period, and Clarke to six years with a three-and-a-half-year non-parole period.